The Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal was instituted in 1910 to mark the opening of the first Union Parliament by the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn in 1910. As such, it was the first of the independence medals instituted in the Commonwealth.
The medal was instituted by King George V in terms of Royal Warrant of 3 October 1910, published in Government Gazette no. 59 dated 29 November 1910. The medal was awarded to Army and Navy personnel and civilian leaders who took part in the ceremonies to establish the Union of South Africa from the unification of the former Colonies of the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Transvaal and the Orange River Colony.
The medal was awarded on the recommendation of the Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies. A roll was to be kept and was to be closed six months after the date of the warrant at which time awards could only be made with Royal Approval.
Description
The medal was awarded unnamed and made in silver. It is 36mm in diameter. The obverse bears the effigy of King George V, facing left and surrounded by the legend: "GEORGIVS V BRITT:OMN:REX ET IND:IMP:" The reverse depicts the god Mercury, the god of commerce and prosperity, forging links of a chain on an anvil, with four links each bearing the name of a Province of the Union of South Africa, "CAPE OF GOOD HOPE", "NATAL", "TRANSVAAL" and "ORANGE RIVER". The year "1910" is entwined by an olive branch. Around the circumference is the inscription "TO COMMEMORATE THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA". The ribbon is 38mm wide; two 10mm wide orange bands separated by an 18mm wide dark blue band.
Recipients
580 medals were awarded. 21 to the RN, 52 to the British Army, 41 to South African forces, 465 to civilians, of which 31 were women, and one to a member of foreign services.
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